Whatever Your Heart Desires Part 5

At least I knew Danni was alive. I didn't know where, but was certain Celine did. Perhaps Danni was living with the Black girl. That would make sense. She would have turned to the only other person with whom she felt safe. I said I had instinctively respected Celine from the first time I saw her. I would have to do so now, setting aside my petty jealousy of Danni being with another woman.

I did what I set out to do. I went to work and immersed myself in my normal routine. I sold properties, went to lunch or for after-work drinks with my friends, then went home. Once in a while, they convinced me to go out to a club. Of course I got hit on, as was their intention. I was cordial. It felt good to at least carry on a conversation that wasn't related to work. I danced some, too. It felt good to hold someone, feel their warmth. It just wasn't the same. Their petty preoccupations with sports, their jobs, a new car or boat, and how they had been searching for a girl like me just seemed so banal.

I actually did take one of them home – once. His name was Stan something-or-other. He was... a man. That is the only way I can put it. He was attractive enough and had a nice body. The 'package' was okay, too – just okay. He fucked me routinely. He came. I didn't. I didn't ever try to fake it. I was cordial enough afterwards and got rid of him as soon as I decently could. All the time he was in me, I was comparing him to Danni. There really was no comparison; Stan lost, hands down.

A couple of months later, a bizarre story was reported on the local news. Acting on an anonymous tip, police had raided a local motel room and apprehended two men wanted in connection with a series of sexual assaults on area women. Also confiscated in the raid were digital camera and video equipment, plus recorded digital disks allegedly containing evidence of previous assaults. Upon arrival at the scene, police found the room's door forcibly opened and the men handcuffed, beaten... and, allegedly, sexually assaulted. Arraignment was pending their release from an area hospital. At that time, police had no suspects in the apparent vigilante-style attack on the pair. Further details would be made available as they were released....